Everything Penn State coach James Franklin said during Wednesday of Ohio State week

Penn State coach James Franklin held his second media availability of Ohio State week on Wednesday night. The first question for the 10th year leader of the Lions focused on the status of guard JB Nelson. He missed last week’s win over UMass after being carted off the field between the first and second quarter break at Northwestern three weeks ago. But, he was back on the practice field Wednesday night.

“Yeah, we’ll see,” Franklin said when asked about Nelson’s status for Saturday. “He’s missed a little bit of time. So obviously getting him back, kind of in the mix and greased up and ready to go. The good thing is Vega’s played well. So obviously, be able to evaluate that throughout the week. I think they’re both going to play. So, we’ll see how it plays out.”

The second question centered on the fact that current Penn State analyst Gabe Infante coached Ohio State stars Kyle McCord and Marvin Harrison Jr., in high school.

“I mean, the analysts, specifically Gabe, are doing everything that they legally can do,” Franklin said. “Obviously, when you’re able to have some guys, kind of behind the scenes, that either know a staff or know a coach, or know a player, it’s helpful. But, those guys haven’t been together in what, four or five years. So a lot has changed since then. But But yeah, obviously whenever you have anybody on your staff, that’s got history with a staff or a coach or a coordinator or a player, specifically a quarterback, there’s some value in that.”

Here is a look at everything else the Penn State coach said on Wednesday night.

What does James Franklin respect about Ryan Day?

“Obviously, number one, the success that they’ve had. It’s interesting,” Franklin said. “Because, he took over a program in a very different position than I did, but still very challenging for very different reasons, if that makes sense. I always got a ton of respect for him at Big Ten meetings, just kind of how he goes about his business.

“He’s passionate about the Big Ten conference and what we have to do to position the conference in the best chance to be successful competing nationally. They’ve done a nice job offensively, which is what his background is. We have a lot of people in common. Jim and Frank Leonard worked together at Boston College. We just know a lot of people in common and I respect his body of work.”

On what the Penn State defense can gain now after not playing as many snaps as usual so far this season

“I think it helps,” Franklin said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that it helps. Now,, can our starters play more reps if we choose to do that in this game? Yes. Do we have to be careful that you don’t go the extreme to that, and they’re not used to playing that number of reps? Yeah. So, I think it’s kind of in the middle, if I was going to say, how we’re going to manage it. We haven’t discussed that. Obviously, we’ll do that on Thursday. But we have the ability for the starters to play a little bit more reps and the flexibility with it, but we don’t want to go completely the other extreme.”

Why has the Penn State pass rush thrived?

“I think it’s an example of, you’re allowed to get better, right? And a lot of things factored in to that,” Franklin said. “Because, I think early in the year, there was some questions and concerns about that. So you’re allowed to get better, you’re allowed to evolve and grow. I also think the way we’ve been able to play and get up with a lead is also helpful with that.

“Because, we get into more pass rush situations where people are behind the chains. And, I think we got good players and good coaches, I think our scheme helps, that we’re aggressive. Our scheme helps that we play man coverage. So typically, we can get the quarterback to hold on to the ball a little bit without free access throws. I think Deion [Barnes]’ done a really nice job as well. A combination of all those things.”

Do the Lions need to be a complete team with no flaws to win at the highest level?

“Number one, I don’t think that there’s a team in the country that has every box checked,” Franklin said. “And that’s college or the NFL. Everybody’s got strengths and weaknesses. And, the reality is, sometimes winning and losing is based more on the matchup of your strength versus theirs. Or your deficiency versus their strength. That’s part of it.

“But, nobody’s got every box checked. I think that’s a reality. Where I think some of the questions have been fair, and I recognize it as well, and because I harp on it all the time, the two most important stats in all of football is turnover margin and explosive play differential. Two most important stats in all football. And I can’t talk about that all the time with the team and with [the media] and then act like that stats not important when it’s not in our favor. It don’t work like that. But, to your point, I still think you can win a ton of games, and at an extremely high levell with not checking every box.”

What does it take to beat a top five team?

“I think the first thing is, you got to put yourself in a position to win those games,” Franklin said. “Which what I mean by that is, you look at the NFL, typically those games come down to one possession games. And when you’re playing two highly ranked teams competing against each other, that’s typically how it’s going to come down as well.

“It’s going to come down to a one possession game. And usually one of two things happened. Situational football is going to win the game for you, and [your team] understanding how to handle situational football, whether it’s two minute or four minutes, and the ability for you to close the game on your terms. Or, talent. It’s very similar to, when you watch certain teams, certain games, no matter what the talent differential [is[, people can hang around for a half.

“And then, over time, the talent takes over. So those are the two things. And, I think we have closed the gap with a lot of what people would consider the top five programs in the country. We have slowly chipped away at that. So, we’ve put ourselves in a much better position. But I think it’s going to come down to a one possession game. And we got to be able to find a way to win that situation at the end of the game, whatever it is, four minute, two minute, whatever it may be. We got to be able to capitalize in that situation on the road in a tough environment.”

Does Penn State need its veteran leaders to step up?

“Obviously, those veterans in games like this, the younger, inexperienced players that have not been in these types of environments or these type of games before, they’re looking to lean on the coaches,” Franklin said.

“They’re looking to lean on the veteran players. And, the reality is, confidence comes with preparing well. But, it also comes with experience. And, those guys have it. Our most veteran players, our best leaders, our best players, they need to play they need to play well in these types of games. We don’t have to play perfect, but we need to play well in these types of games.”

On the play of Tyler Warren and the Penn State tight ends

“I think our tight end room is as good as any tight end room in the country,” Franklin said. “Just kind of like we talked about the pass rush, we talked about early in the season, the tight ends’ production wasn’t what maybe people thought it should have been. And, that’s changed. So, again, you’re allowed to get better as the season goes on. But those guys have done a great job. And you guys have heard me talk a bunch about having complete tight ends. Which, is something that we work very hard at. I think it’s harder than it’s ever been.

“Because, most of these guys don’t come in with any of that experience. It’s kinda like our discussion [Tuesday] about throwing check downs or throwing the long ball. What are you doing in the backyard with your dad? What are you doing with your buddies? It’s the same way with tight ends. Do you think tight ends are blocking a blocking sled in their backyard or out with their buddies? No. They’re catching balls and running routes. So, spending enough time working on that, so that they can help us be successful and win at the highest level, but also prepare those guys for the next level.

More: Penn State head coach James Franklin Wednesday press conference: Ohio State

“And one of the things that we talk about all the time with the next level and development at the tight end position is, if you’re just a receiving tight end, there’s going to be a number of teams that want you but not every team. If you’re just a blocker, there’s going to be a number of teams that want you. But, if you can do both, all 32 teams want those guys. We need that at our level. But, it also is going to help them long term as well to buy into that and invest in that.”

How does James Franklin feel about the week of practice so far?

“We got some guys that, if we didn’t have really good depth and really good health, would be playing for us right now in a in a top 10 program as true freshmen,” he said. “So, the fact that those guys are not full time, maybe on the [developmental] squad but they’re rotating back and forth, it’s been really good. It’s been really competitive. There’s some guys that maybe weren’t ready at the beginning of the season that I think are more ready now. At least, physically.

“And the way they’re practicing and competing, it forces our guys to come to work every single day. And, the more days we can put together like that, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, it gives us the best chance to prepare for what the speed and the violence is going to be like on Saturday. Combine that with the good on good periods we have as well. I think it’s the best way to give us a chance to be prepared on Saturday and play well.”